If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Some advice

So last summer, I had a retail job. I was at the cashier when a familiar customer with his 4 year old son comes in. When ever he comes, he always likes to tell jokes and what not, so I thought I'd bang the first joke out this time. Big mistake.

When he came to the counter, he only brought one item, so I got the idea to joke and say "Just one item? You aren't stealing are you?" The man was Hispanic and thought that I was being prejudice in accusing him of stealing in front of his son, he did not realize I was trying to joke with him. I felt really bad making him feel like a criminal and have since then stopped joking with customers or people I don't know well in general.

When I reflect on what happened, I can't help but feel that the situation made me antisocial; I start to feel awkward in conversations with people and fear shedding some humor because I don't want that situation to reoccur. I went from being voted most sarcastic and funny in my yearbook to dry-humor guy just because I don't want to hurt people's feelings if they get offended.

My question to NB: Should I continue to obsess over what I say with others or should I careless about whether or not they get offended unintentionally?

Re: Some advice

Originally Posted by Unbiased King

So last summer, I had a retail job. I was at the cashier when a familiar customer with his 4 year old son comes in. When ever he comes, he always likes to tell jokes and what not, so I thought I'd bang the first joke out this time. Big mistake.

When he came to the counter, he only brought one item, so I got the idea to joke and say "Just one item? You aren't stealing are you?" The man was Hispanic and thought that I was being prejudice in accusing him of stealing in front of his son, he did not realize I was trying to joke with him. I felt really bad making him feel like a criminal and have since then stopped joking with customers or people I don't know well in general.

When I reflect on what happened, I can't help but feel that the situation made me antisocial; I start to feel awkward in conversations with people and fear shedding some humor because I don't want that situation to reoccur. I went from being voted most sarcastic and funny in my yearbook to dry-humor guy just because I don't want to hurt people's feelings if they get offended.

My question to NB: Should I continue to obsess over what I say with others or should I careless about whether or not they get offended unintentionally?

Re: Some advice

Don't worry about what you say to guests. The thing is, whether you said something offensive or you're the nicest person in the world, you will always have the 1 angry guest trying to get you in trouble. You might as well just enjoy it in your own way. There's a lot of things I've said back when I was an employee behind the cash wrap that people you think would have took offense to what I said but actually thought it was funny such as a woman who spilt some water in front of me and I said "damn lady, you don't have to get wet when you see me."

Point is, world is changing and you don't need to worry about it so much. Also, if you want to progress further, corporate jobs are big on how out spoken you are now a days. They want people who can project their voices, who can make the crowd love them, even if they say something offensive. I would know since that's how I still act and it hasn't stopped me. I still work in the same retail areas, but as a Director today. If I had to thank any of my qualities for making it so far, I'd have to say it's my courage to say those things that others would be to scared to mutter! :P

Re: Some advice

Originally Posted by Jonesy161

Don't worry about what you say to guests. The thing is, whether you said something offensive or you're the nicest person in the world, you will always have the 1 angry guest trying to get you in trouble. You might as well just enjoy it in your own way. There's a lot of things I've said back when I was an employee behind the cash wrap that people you think would have took offense to what I said but actually thought it was funny such as a woman who spilt some water in front of me and I said "damn lady, you don't have to get wet when you see me."

'd. How did that situation turn out?

Originally Posted by Jonesy161

Point is, world is changing and you don't need to worry about it so much. Also, if you want to progress further, corporate jobs are big on how out spoken you are now a days. They want people who can project their voices, who can make the crowd love them, even if they say something offensive. I would know since that's how I still act and it hasn't stopped me. I still work in the same retail areas, but as a Director today. If I had to thank any of my qualities for making it so far, I'd have to say it's my courage to say those things that others would be to scared to mutter! :P

Thank you for your input. You're right, being outspoken is almost a necessity today in all spheres of life.

Re: Some advice

Basically you need to - is to understand your customer.
For example;
A customer walked in and
*you never see the customer before, just ask him/her - "Sir,can i help/assist you"
*you do see him a few time before, try to remember what did you or he do, make him happy
many others way to know and how to deal with the customer - this should be company-training.
If the customer act and talk not the same as other, follow his style.

Note: First Impression IS very important. Greet with EYE to eye contact (with a simple smile), do not look away. For me this is my way to know people. Face to Face is the FIRST Contact. If had contact with the customer, say over the phone; in person - do the eye to eye technique. I read this somewhere very long time ago. It works for me.
Whether he is your customer or your friend's friend, both is the same.

One good example in this Naruto manga Chapter 492.
See what and how Bee greet, but unfortunately Naruto did not response in the same way. This offended Bee.

About this issue, Kishi had given one useful HINT.
Remember when all the tailed-beast use the fist to fist contact; they gave part of their chakra to Naruto.
Same as where Kurama give his chakra to Kakashi & Guy.
Also when Naruto had finished taking control of some Kurama's chakra, Bee and Him did the fist to fist contact. Both understand what had happened, which make Yamato angry.
And The fight between Sasuke and Naruto, Naruto then said something, which only both understood.
Interesting .......